Medway drug dealer jailed

A cocaine and heroin dealer who sold to drug users in Chatham has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Benjamin Friar, 31, of no fixed address, was arrested on Wednesday 28 March 2018 as part of an investigation by detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.

He was subsequently charged with three counts of supplying crack cocaine and three counts of supplying heroin, which related to three separate drug deals conducted in the area of High Street, Chatham, in November 2017.

Friar pleaded guilty to all offences and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday 7 August 2018.

Detective Inspector Gary Scarfe said: ‘Kent Police is committed to stamping out the supply of class A drugs and prosecuting those who bring such harmful substances onto our streets.

‘Benjamin Friar made money by selling cocaine and heroin on the streets of Chatham, often to people whose lives are being torn apart by addiction. He has directly contributed to the harm they are suffering and will spend the next two-and-a-half years in prison as a result.

‘Anyone with evidence of drug-dealing in their area is encouraged to report it to us by visiting www.kent.police.uk/report or by calling 101.’